Firstly two of our team left for home because of injuries :( Hannah will be given the chance to slide again in March but for Liv the journey is over; taken away from her against her choice. It was a stark reminder that in performance sport you as an athlete are expendable. We all understand the reasons why Liv and Hannah have been sent home - primarily safety and logistics. It just cuts to be reminded that in this environment the bonds you think you are making can mean nothing when push comes to shove and that we are somewhat of a production line. If you're not deemed good enough then goodbye. As Alice has just said we are pawns in their skeleton game. That's the brutal truth. But whatever the outcome I am trying to show progress and enjoy the experience.
So the now 7 of us had a sliding session today; 3 runs. Personally, I was quite nervous. My heart rate was sky high as I got on my sled for the first run. It was my first run since whacking my ankle and I desperately didn't want to hit it again as the swelling had only just gone away. We were also starting to employ knee steers on a couple of corners so I'd had to rewrite my plan and re-wire my brain so that my muscles acting in the right way for this. I also had a steer for the part of the track we call the labyrinth because I keep scraping my knuckles. In hindsight I was a little overwhelmed. But 6 or so steers is nothing compared to what the guys that compete are doing.
My three runs were.... Ok. I didn't get all my steers, I got lost at times and I didn't feel the oscillations (wave patterns in the corners) BUT I didn't take any major hits, had good form, am improving my ability to recall AND didn't feel traumatised at any point. So I'll take it. I am proud of my form because it forms the basis for sliding and is probably saving me a lot of bangs. Moreover I almost enjoyed it. Now, I bet you are probably saying "if you aren't enjoying it why are you doing it?" Well because do you ever really enjoy learning to do something from scratch? This is what we are doing. It takes graft and time and it feels crap most of the time. That's not enjoyable. Plus to put it into context I have only 'trained' for my new sport for a total of 10 minutes!!!!! So I will gladly take almost enjoyed for now. Another 3 runs tomorrow; with a 8:30am track start time ugh.
The rest of the group are a mixed bunch. Everyone is feeling a little melancholy today. Maddie didn't 'turn up' metaphorically speaking, she thinks she was still in bed during today's session. Alice has taken a bad knock, Ellie is still struggling with 4... This sliding stuff isn't simple. It's frustrating to know where you are going wrong but not why. And moreover not knowing how to rectify going off line. We can't know this yet however because it will overload us. So it's a case of trust and patience. Not sure how common that last trait is in athletes!! But we are a team so we work together and hopefully everyone can go to bed a bit happier. I have shared some psych with Abbie to hopefully help her reflect and empty her head and prepare for tomorrow. Everyone can offer different things. Alice for example brought wispa bis cute and fudge to the table tonight :) they were gladly received and no trace of then remain. Onto tomorrow.
Now for fast facts and my 'of the day'.
I hit 100.8kph today. And my quickest run was 59.49s. I was pleased to go over 100kph again and break 60s. Times aren't important for us at the moment but it's still nice to see. Usually if you're breaking 60s from 4 you graduate to the top. However the track is mental quick so we still need some more time.
QOTD:
"That troll, he looks quite friendly" Maddie is growing find of the trolls.
Moment OTD
Bit of a sad one but it felt poignant to me... When Liv and Hannah left and we had a group good bye circle/hug. We really have bonded as a group and it makes all the difference when you know there are people that you can open up to.
Funny moment OTD
Alice's face during video analysis. Alice had a traumatic few slides to say the least and like me on Monday was dreading the video session. However, her slides looked good and the surprise on her face was a right picture. Just shows that perception isn't always correct and confirms my belief that you got to get used to that out of control feeling as it isn't (always) a bad thing.
This is Alice's leg tonight. This was not why her run was traumatic either. She may have a broken knuckle.
And finally POTD
We checked the ice bath at lunch as we were booked in post sliding only to find a layer of ice (obvious I guess). So I chucked a rock in to break it and the picture shows just how thick the ice is!!
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